Sometimes in the summer, when it's hot and the kids have reached that lethargic space between boredom and listlessness - what do you do?

Generally, I drag mine out - of course this action is often accompanied by moans and groans - but their attitude usually changes dramatically five minutes out of the door. It's especially hard, when we're visiting my parents in Munich, to prise them away from the nearby lake where they can swim all day and perfect their "Arschbomben" (bombs into the water, bum first, as taught by their cousins).

But on the days when we do, it's so worth it. The kids quickly turn a "walk" into a "bug hunt" or a recce to find bits and bobs to build a den with. Here, as the crickets were chirping so loudly, Minu wanted to seek out the little creepy, crawly creatures and observe them doing their thing. She got right into the bug world and all that goes with it. Whether or not it's thanks to A Bugs Life and Antz, I can't tell, but it's certainly fun to watch.

"I think Peter needs a mama," says Minu holding her newly found bug. "Can we take him home? I'm going to find him a brother and some food..."

Top tip: Get on all fours. Search under stones, climb up on things. You'll be surprised how going high and low, gives you a whole new perspective.Top quote:"All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking." Friedrich Nietzsche

Author

Anne-Celine Jaeger is a journalist, author and mother of three based in London. This blog is about about tapping into the adventurous, innocent, magical spirit in every child, not caring about dirty hands, mucky feet, tangled hair or muddy knees. It's about running wild in nature. It's about smelling, feeling, touching, hearing and tasting the great outdoors. It's about being free.